Cup dispenser

ABSTRACT

An inverted, cup-shaped cup dispenser is formed from thin plastic having a substantially uniform wall thickness. The dispenser has integral means projecting radially inwardly adjacent the open end thereof for releasably resisting unintentional movement of a plurality of nested cups from within the dispenser. In a preferred embodiment, the dispenser has recess or opening means formed therein for receiving a projecting portion of a bracket for releasably supporting the cup-shaped dispenser upon wall means. Also the dispenser may be provided with an integral flange near the open end thereof having a plurality of openings through which the handles of tooth brushes can extend.

States Patent [1 91 Carroll 1 1 CUP DISPENSER [76] Inventor: Michael W.Carroll, Bloomingdale Twp, DuPage County, 111. 60108 Notice: The portionof the term of this patent subsequent to Feb. 16, 1988, has beendisclaimed.

[22] Filed: Feb. 8, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 113,427

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No.786,938, Dec. 26,

1968, Pat, No. 3,563,411.

[52] US. Cl 221/46, 221/63, 248/311 [51] lnt. Cl. A471 11/04 [58] Fieldof Search 221/45, 46, 63, 282, 283,

1111 3,844,444 1*0ct. 2a, 1974 2,991,910 7/1961 Coe 221/63 X 3,261,5007/1966 McGlynn 221/63 3,389,883 6/1968 Johnson 248/311 X 3,411,66511/1968 Blum 221/307 X Primary Examiner Robert B. Reeves AssistantExaminerFrancis J. Bartuska Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Woodhams, Blanchardand Flynn 5 7 ABSTRACT An inverted, cup-shaped cup dispenser is formedfrom thin plastic having a substantially uniform wall thickness. Thedispenser has integral means projecting radially inwardly adjacent theopen end thereof for releasably resisting unintentional movement of aplurality of nested cups from within the dispenser. In a preferredembodiment, the dispenser has recess or opening means formed therein forreceiving a projecting por tion of a bracket for releasably supportingthe cupshaped dispenser upon wall means. Also the dispenser may beprovided with an integral flange near the open end thereof having aplurality of openings through which the handles of tooth brushes canextend.

10 Claims, 23 Drawing Figures Pmmmm 29 um I 3844444 i N V E N TC R MamaW. mama L CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is acontinuation-impart of my prior application Ser. No. 786,938, filed Dec.26, 1968, and entitled CUP DISPENSER, now US. Pat. No. 3,563,41 l.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to a device fordispensing containers, such as nested disposable cups and, moreparticularly, to an expendable, one piece cup dispenser having anintegral flange with a plurality of openings therein through which thehandles of toothbrushes can be inserted.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is well known that the owners ofrestaurants and accommodations available for public patronage, such asmotels and the like, are constantly confronted with the problem oflosses due to breakage and theft. In particular, the losses of drinkingglasses becomes substantial. Proprietors of such establishments arereluctant to charge their patrons for such losses because it woulddestroy goodwill, particularly of innocent parties. In order to avoidthis problem, efforts have been made to use disposable cups, such asthose made from plastic or moistureproof paper. However, patrons wouldprefer to use such cups as single use containers and, accordingly, theuse of such cups is often, if not usually, wasteful. Moreover, thequestion always arises as to whether a loose, expendable container, suchas a plastic cup, has been previously used by persons unknown.

It is also well known that the provision of sanitary means for holdingthe toothbrushes of guests in overnight accommodations can be a seriousproblem in public housing or other facilities. A stranger isapprehensive about placing his toothbrush in a permanent holder becausesuch holder may have been contaminated by a prior user, in spite of thebest intentions of all persons involved.

In considering these two problems, it occurred to me that both could besolved by a combined, disposable and inexpensive dispenser adapted tohold drinking cups and having an integral flange for supportingtoothbrushes. Moreover, the guest, particularly at motels and the like,could be invited to take the dispenser and the remaining cups upondeparture, which would create goodwill. Furthermore, the dispenser couldcarry advertising media, which would accompany the guest, and theprospect of ownership would tend to conserve the use of the cups. Thatis, since the guest would realize that the cups and dispenser would behis, he would be more likely to use the cups sparingly so that he wouldhave the maximum amount to take away. This result would also reduce theamount of waste material to be disposed of by the proprietor.

My aforesaid application Ser. No. 786,938 discloses a dispenser whichovercomes the basic problems set forth above. However, in the course ofcontinuing improvement upon the concepts involved, it became apparentthat other, related means could be developed to achieve the desiredends, perhaps more effectively.

Accordingly, a primary object of this invention is the provision of aone piece, disposable cup dispenser capable of holding a plurality ofnested cups in positon for individual release, such dispenser beingformed from thin plastic material of substantially uniform thickness,thereby permitting the formation of the dispenser by extremelyeconomical methods and machines previously developed.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a disposable cupdispenser, as aforesaid, having an integral toothbrush holder capable ofholding a plurality of toothbrushes and designed so that the combinedcup dispenser and toothbrush holder can be easily and inexpensivelyreplaced.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a dispenser, asaforesaid, which has means for releasable attachment thereof to a wallmounted bracket.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a dispenser, asaforesaid, which includes double projection means disposed adjacent thedispensing end of the dispenser for insuring that the cups are dispensedone at a time.

Other objects and purposes of this invention will become apparent topersons familiar with this type of device upon reading the followingdescriptive material and examining the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of oneembodiment of an expendable cup dispensing and toothbrush holding deviceembodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragment of a side elevational view of the dispensing deviceillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of said dispensing device.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IVIV in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line VV in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a modified mounting bracket for the dispenserillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line VII-VII in FIG. 6 withthe bracket connected to a part of the dispenser illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line VIIIVIII in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a rear view, on a reduced scale, of the movable portion of thebracket illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a modified dispensingdevice and bracket.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line XI--XI in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a top view of another modified dispensing device and bracket.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line XIIIXIII in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary, central cross-sectional view of a furthermodification of the dispensing device.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are side and front views of a modified bracketstructure.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another modification of the dispensingdevice.

FIG. 18 is a perspective new of still another modification of thedispensing device.

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary enlargement of the circled portion of FIG. 18.

FIGS. 20-23 are fragmentary elevational views, partially in section, offurther modified dispensing devices and particularly the supportbrackets.

For convenience in description, the terms upper, lower, front, rear" andwords of similar import will have reference to the dispenser and partsthereof as appearing in FIGS. 2 and in which the front is on the rightside of the figure. The terms inner," outer and derivatives thereof willhave reference to the geometric center of the dispensing device andparts thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The objects and purposes of the invention,including those set forth above, have been met by providing a dispensingdevice constructed entirely from a thin sheet of plastic material andhaving a cup-shaped member which may be releasably held in an invertedposition by bracket means which can be secured to a wall or othersupport surface. The cup-shaped member preferably has at least oneopening or recess in the wall thereof in which a projecting portion ofthe bracket means is received. The cup-shaped member also preferably hasan integral, radially extending flange means with openings through whichthe handles of toothbrushes can extend.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The dispensing device 10, which is illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 5, is comprised of a cup-shaped receptacle 11 which inone embodiment is releasably held in the inverted position by means of abracket 12 on a supporting surface, such as a wall 13, for the purposeof releasably holding a plurality of nested containers, such as plasticcups 14. The receptacle 11 is preferably fabricated by thermal formingfrom a thin sheet of inexpensive plastic material, such as polyethyleneor high impact styrene.

The receptacle 1] preferably has a substantially cylindrical sidewall 16and a top wall 17. The top wall 17 includes a substantially annular andcircular portion 18 which is disposed at an acute angle relative to theaxis of the tubular sidewall 16. The top wall 17 also includes a taperedannular portion 19 integral with and extending between the portion 18and the upper edge of the tubular sidewall 16.

To retain the nested cups 14 within the cup-shaped receptacle 11, thesidewall 16 is provided with inwardly directed, plural pairs of integralprojections 21 and 22 (FIG. 4) adjacent the lower open end of thereceptacle, the projections in each pair being axially spaced one abovethe other as illustrated in FIG. 4. In the preferred embodiment, thereare three pairs of projections substantially uniformly spaced around theperiphery of the sidewall 16 adjacent the open end thereof. Theprojections 21 and 22 define a clearance space or opening having adiameter slightly smaller than the outside diameter of the rim 23 of thecups 14 for the purpose of preventing accidental dislodgement of saidcups from within the receptacle 1] during normal use and operation. Theinside diameter of the cylindrical sidewall 16, above the projection 22,is preferably slightly greater than the outside diameter of the cup rim23 so that the cups can be freely moved upwardly or downwardly withinthe dispenser after the rims 23 pass the projections 21 and 22. Theprojections 21 and 22 are preferably formed during the molding operationby projections in the sidewall of the mold, not shown, and havesubstantially the same thickness as said sidewall l6.

The sidewall 16 of the receptacle 11 is also preferably provided withtwo pairs of vertical stiffening ribs 27 and 28 disposed on oppositecircumferential sides of two pairs of recesses 21 and 22. The ribs 27and 28 are also formed in the cylindrical sidewall 16 during the moldingoperation and, thus, have a substantially uniform wall thickness alongwith the cylindrical sidewall 16.

The top wall 17 of the receptacle 11 has a projection 27 which isintegral with, and extends rearwardly from, the tapered annular portion19. The projection 27 extends to the periphery of the sidewall 16 andhas through its upper surface a downwardly extending opening or recess28 therein. The upper rear edge of the projection 27 is sloped at 29 forcoaction with the bracket 12 in a manner to be described hereinafter.

The illustrated embodiment of the dispenser also includes an integralflange 31 extending radially outwardly from the lower edge of thereceptacle 11. The flange 31 has a plurality of openings 32 therethroughfor receiving the handles of toothbrushes. The rearward part of theflange 31 is provided with a pair of spaced openings 33 through whichparts of the bracket 12 extend to releasably support the receptacle 11on the bracket. Integral, spaced stiffening flanges 34 are preferablyformed in the sidewall 16 and the flange 31 between the openings 33.

While the receptacle 11, as described above and as illustrated in someof the drawings, may be provided with a toothbrush support flange 31, itwill be readily appreciated that the toothbrush flange 31 can be readilyeliminated in those situations where such a toothbrush support flange isnot desired, without departing from the desirable structure of thereceptacle 11 and the manner in which it coacts with the bracket 12. Inthis situation, the receptacle 1] would still preferably be providedwith a partial flange extending from one side thereof, which flangewould have the necessary opening or openings for reception of themounting tabs provided on the support bracket.

The bracket 12 comprises a mounting plate 36, which is adapted to besecured to a wall 13 by screws 35 which extend through openings 37 insaid mounting plate. The bracket 12 has an integral bottom flange 37extending forwardly therefrom which flange has a pair of spaced,upwardly extending tabs 38 integral with its free edge. The tabs 38 areadapted to extend into and through the openings 33 provided in thereceptacle flange 31.

The bracket 12 is also provided with a stiff but resiliently flexiblearm 39 integral with the upper edge of the mounting plate 36. The arm 39extends forwardly and upwardly at an acute angle relative to theadjacent support wall 13 and has a downwardly extending tab 41 adjacentits free end adapted to be disposed within the opening or recess 28 whenthe tabs 38 are within the openings 33.

When the receptacle 11 is to be mounted on the bracket 12, thereceptacle 11 is initially positioned so that the two lower tabs 38extend through the openings 33 formed in the receptacle flange 31. Theupper end of the receptacle 11 is then moved toward the bracket 12 untilthe upper tab 41 of the bracket engages the sloped surface 29. The upperportion of the receptacle 11 is then urged toward the wall 13, whichcauses the upper arm 39 of the bracket to be resiliently deflectedupwardly toward the wall whereby the tab 41 rides up the slope 29 untilit moves onto the upper surface of the projection 27 after which the tab411 then resiliently snaps into the opening or recess 28. Thus, thereceptacle I1 is securely but releasably supported upon and by thebracket l2.

When it is desired to remove the receptacle 11 from the bracket l2, thereceptacle lll is initially lifted upwardly which causes the upper arm39 of the bracket to be resiliently deflected upwardly. When thereceptacle is lifted upwardly a sufficient distance the lower tabs 38will be withdrawn from the openings 33 formed in the receptacle flange31. The lower portion of the receptacle II is then manually movedoutwardly away from the wall 13 until the lower flange 31 is clear ofthe tabs 38. The receptacle 11 can then be lowered to withdraw the uppertab 41 from the recess 28.

The bracket 12 is preferably fabricated from a sheetlike material, suchas metal spring stock, so that it possesses the necessary resiliency butis still relatively stiff. However, the bracket could also be formedfrom a plastic material, if so desired.

OPERATION In normal operation, receptacle II is filled with a quantityof containers 14, which may be drinking cups fabricated from paper,plastic or other preferably disposable materials. The drinking cups 14are nested together and, accordingly, are releasably and frictionallyheld with respect to each other in the nested position. The rims of thecups 14 are of such a size that the rim 23 of the lowermost cup willoverlie the lower projections 21 and will be engaged by, and supportedon, the projections 2i. In a similar manner, the rim 23' of the nextlowermost cup 14' will be disposed closely adjacent and overlie andupper projections 22. The lowermost cup 14 is thus supported by theprojections 21 and must be physically gripped and moved downwardly inorder to dislodge it from its position of support on the projections 21.The gripping of rim 23 by the upper projections 22 is such that thefrictional engagement between the two lowermost cups will be releasedbefore the rim 23' is moved downwardly past the projections 22 when thelowermost cup is removed from the dispenser. However, even if the rim23' is moved downwardly past the projections 22, it will still be heldwithin the receptacle II by the lower projections 21 in most instances.Nevertheless, even if two or more cups stick together and are removed atthe same time, the excess cups can be quickly and easily reinserted intothe receptacle.

MODIFICATIONS FIGS. 6 through 23 illustrate several modifications of thepresent invention, which modifications contain many parts which arestructurally and functionally the same as or similar to the parts of theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 and described above. Parts orcomponents of the modified embodiments of the invention will be referredto by the same reference numerals designating corresponding parts of theabove described embodiment of the invention but with the suffix A, B, C,D, E, F, G, H, J or K added thereto.

FIGS. 6 through 9 illustrate a dispensing device 10A having a modifiedbracket structure 12A which is geometrically similar to the bracketstructure 12 described above. The bracket 12A has a two-piece, plasticconstruction. Specifically, the bracket ll2A includes a base member 42having a mounting plate 36A adapted to be secured to a supporting wall13 by means of an adhesive 49 on the rear side thereof'The mountingplate 36A is provided with an integral bottom flange 37A having a pairof upwardly extending tabs 38A secured thereto. The tabs 38A are adaptedto extend through openings (such as openings 33) fonned in thereceptacle flange 3ll.

The front side of the mounting plate 36A is provided with an upright,undercut slot 43 extending longitudinally thereof, which slot is alignedwith an opening 44 extending through the bottom flange 37A. Afrontwardly projecting abutment 46 (FIG. 7) extends across the slot 43adjacent the lower end thereof. Said abutment has a tapered upper edge47 and a lower shoulder 44 which is perpendicular to the plate 36A.

The bracket 12A also includes a clamping member 51 which is preferablyconstructed of polypropylene and which includes a slide member .52slidably disposed within the slot 43. An upwardly and forwardlyextending resilient arm 39A is integral with the upper end of the slidemember 52 and has a downwardly extending tab 41A adjacent the free endthereof for insertion into the cavity or opening 28A formed in the topof the projection 27 on the receptacle 11. The clamping member 51includes a tongue 53 integral with and extending downwardly from theslide member 52. The tongue 53 is of reduced thickness, so that it isrelatively flexible, and it is adapted to slide through the opening 44.

A locking flange 56 is integral with the lower end of the tongue 53 andis adapted to extend below the stop shoulder 48 (FIG. 7) for lockingengagement therewith. The lower side of flange 56 has a sloped surface57 which is adapted to coact with the tapered surface 47 for deflectingthe lower end of the tongue 53 when the slide member 52 is moveddownwardly in the groove 43. The lower end of tongue 53 is resilientlymoved back into a position adjacent the abutment 46 after the flange 56passes below the shoulder 48. The shoulders 59 of the slide member 52abut against the upper edge of the mounting plate 36A for limiting thedownward movement of the member 51 relative to the base member 42.

The bracket I2A permits engagement or disengage ment of a receptaclellA, which may be identical to receptacle ill, in the same manner asdescribed above relative to the embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 15.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a modified dispensing device ltlB whichutilizes both a modified receptacle HE and a modified bracket 128. Thereceptacle 118 has a substantially flat top wall 178 and a cylindricalsidewall 16B which has an integral, outward projection 61 extendingaxially along the sidewall 168. The projection 61 defines a lengthwisegroove 62 preferably of noncircular cross-section, the lower end of thegroove 62 being open.

The bracket 128 includes a mounting plate 368 which is adapted to besecured to the wall 13 in any conventional manner, as by bolts or by apressure-type adhesive. A flange 63 is integral with and extendsforwardly from the lower edge of the plate 368. A pin of noncircularcross-section extends upwardly from flange 63 and is adapted to extendsnugly into the groove 62 defined by the projection 61 for mounting thereceptacle 118 on the bracket 12B. The bracket 128 could, if necessary,be provided with two or more pins 60 for securing the receptacle.

Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 12and 13 which discloses a mounting bracket 12C adapted to cooperate withan inverted cup-shaped receptacle 11C. The mounting bracket 12C includesa mounting plate 36C adapted to be secured to a wall 13 in aconventional manner. A mounting arm 64 is fixedly, here integrally,connected to the upper edge of the plate 36C and extends outwardlytherefrom for connection to the top wall 65 of the receptacle 11C.

The top wall 65 of receptacle 11C is substantially flat except for thecentral raised portion 66, which is preferably integrally connected tothe top wall 65 on three sides thereof. The fourth side of the raisedportion 66 is spaced from the top wall 65 so as to define an elongatedslot 67, through which the bracket arm 64 can extend while beingparallel with and adjacent to said top wall 65.

The forward end portion 68 of the arm 64 has a thickness slightlygreater than the height of the opening 67. Thus, when the portion 68 isinserted into the slot 67, the tapered nose 69 thereof causes a wedgingaction which deflects the raised portion 66 and/or adjacent part 73 ofwall 65 apart so that the end portion 68 can pass through the slot 67.The end portion 68 is then pushed through the slot 67 until the forwardend thereof abuts the front end 71 of the raised portion 66. In thisposition, the rear shoulder 72 on the end portion 68 will be disposedadjacent to and abut the front edge of the part 73 the top wall adjacentslot 67. This locking engagement between the bracket 12C and thereceptacle 11C will thus firmly but releasably support the receptacle ina suspended vertical position.

FIG. 14 illustrates a modified bracket 12D adapted to releasably supportan inverted cup-shaped receptacle 11D. The bracket 12D includes amounting plate 36D adapted to be connected to a wall 13 in aconventional manner. A mounting arm 64D is integrally connected to andextends outwardly from the upper edge of the plate 36D. The arm 64D hasa downwardly projecting plug 76 secured to its forward end, and saidplug is provided with a plurality of coaxial, annular ribs 77.

The receptacle 11D has a top wall 75 with a downwardly offset centralportion 78 defining an upwardly opening recess 79 in the top wall 75 forsnug reception of the plug 76. The portion 78 preferably has annular,coaxial grooves 80 which open into the recess 79 and effect a releasablegripping with the ribs 77. The receptacle 11D is suspended from thebracket structure 12D by pushing the receptacle 11D upwardly such thatthe plug 76 is releasably and resiliently engaged within the recess 79.

A further variation of the structure illustrated in FIG. 14 wouldinvolve the use of a threaded connection between the bracket 12D and thereceptacle 11D. For example, the projecting plug 76 could be providedwith a threaded periphery, and the receptacle wall portion 78 couldlikewise be provided with an internal thread for permitting thereceptacle 11D to be screwed onto the bracket 12D.

FIGS. and 16 illustrate a further bracket 12E which is structurally andfunctionally similar to the brackets 12 and 12A, as described above.However, the bracket 12E is of a one-piece construction similar to thebracket 12 described above, but is constructed of plastic, preferablypolypropylene, and is thus similar to the bracket 12A described above.The bracket 12E specifically includes a mounting plate 36E which isadapted to be secured to the wall 13 by a suitable pressure adhesive. Anintegral bottom flange 37E extends forwardly from the lower edge of themounting plate 36E and is provided with a pair of spaced, upwardlyextending tabs 38E integral with the free edge of the bottom flange 37E.The bracket also has an upwardly and inwardly inclined flexible arm 39Eintegrally connected to the mounting plate 36E adjacent to but spaceddownwardly a slight distance from the upper edge thereof, which arm 39Eis also provided with a downwardly extending tab 41E adjacent its freeend. The tabs 41E and 38E are adapted to coact with the openings orrecesses formed within the receptacle 11 in the same manner as describedabove with respect to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-9. Further,the receptacle is mounted on and removed from the bracket 12E in thesame manner as described above.

FIG. 17 illustrates a further embodiment of the present inventionwherein the receptacle 11F, in which there is removably disposed aplurality of cups 14, is adapted to be removably mounted on a wallsupport bracket 12F. The wall support bracket 12F is of a generallyU-shaped configuration and includes a wall or base support portion 36Fwhich is adapted to be secured to a wall by any conventional means, suchas screws or an adhesive. The bracket 12F also includes a pair ofelongated arms 81 (only one shown in FIG. 17 for purposes ofillustration), which arms 81 extend outwardly from the opposite ends ofthe wall support portion 36F and are adapted to be disposed in diametrically opposite sides of the receptacle 11F. The elongated arms 81 areeach provided with an elongated slot 82 extending longitudinally thereofso that the arms 81 have a bifurcated or fork-like configuration,whereupon the receptacle 11F can thus be removably supported on thebracket 12F by means of the toothbrush support flange 31F beingslideably inserted into the slots 82. The bracket 12F can be constructedof either metal or plastic, but construction of plastic is preferredsince the bracket can thus be easily formed in one piece.

FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate therein another embodiment of the inventionwhich is similar to FIG. 17 in that the receptacle 11G is supported upona substantially U-shaped bracket 12G having a wall support portion 36Gwhich can be suitably secured to a wall or support surface in anyconventional manner, as by screws or a pressure adhesive. The bracket12G also includes a pair of arms 81G having elongated slots 82G formedtherein for permitting the arms to slideably engage the toothbrushsupport flange 316 on substantially diametrically opposite sides of thereceptacle 11G. However, the arms 826 are further provided with adownwardly extending tab 83 (FIG. 19) adjacent the free end of the upperarm portion 84, which tab is adapted to extend through an opening formedin the flange 31G for locking the receptacle 11G to the bracket 126. Thebracket 12G is preferably constructed of plastic so that the upper armportions 84 will possess sufficient resiliency to enable the upper armportions 84 to deflect when the bracket 31G is slideably insertedbetween the arm portions, whereupon the tabs 83 will then snap into theopenings 85. The tabs 83 are, as illustrated in FIG. 19, preferablyprovided with inclined camming surfaces on the opposite sides thereof tofacilitate the insertion or removal of the flange 31G.

FIG. illustrates therein another bracket 12H which is adapted tocooperate with and releasably mount the receptacle 11H. The bracket 12His of a one-piece construction similar to the brackets 12 and 12Edescribed above and is constructed from a think sheet-like resilientmaterial, such as spring metal or plastic. The bracket 12H againincludes a support portion 36H adapted to be secured to the wall I3 anda lower flange 37H having mounting tabs 38H projecting upwardly throughopenings formed in the receptacle flange 31H. The bracket also has aresilient upper arm 39H having a tab 41H formed on the free end thereofadapted to extend into an opening or recess 28H formed in the top wallof the receptacle III-I. The receptacle, in thisillustrated embodiment,is provided with a substantially flat or transverse top wall in which isformed the recess 28H. The free end of the arm 39H is also provided withan upwardly extending tab 86 which is sized to permit a thumb to bedisposed in engagement therewith, whereupon the tab 86 can thus bemanually pressed inwardly toward the wall to cause the arm 36H todeflect into the position illustrated by dotted lines in FIG. 20,thereby permitting the receptacle llH to be easily mounted on orremoved'from the bracket.

Alternately, the bracket 12H can be constructed without a thumb tabthereon, in which case the bracket would be constructed to coact withthe receptacle substantially in the same manner as illustrated in FIG.21.

FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate therein still further bracket constructionswhich are useable with a receptacle having a flat top substantially likethe receptacle 11H illustrated in FIG. 20. The bracket 121 illustratedin FIG. 22 includes a support portion 36] which is fixedly se curable toa wall 13 and has a lower flange 37J having tabe 38] on the free edgethereof adapted to extend through the receptacle flange 31]. The bracketalso includes an upper portion 86 which is slideably mounted on thesupport portion 36] by means of the guide tabs 87 which are integrallyconnected to the support portion 36]. The upper portion 86 includes aforwardly ex tending arm 88 which has a downwardly directing tab 41] onthe free end thereof adapted to extend into the opening or recess 28]formed in the top wall of the receptacle Ill. The receptacle 11] ismounted on the bracket 12J by first mounting the flange 31] over thetabs 38], whereupon the upper bracket portion 86 is then slideably moveddownwardly from its dotted line position until the flange 41] isdisposed within the opening 28.]. The receptacle is removed in a reversemanner, namely by pulling the upper bracket portion 86 upwardly torelease the receptacle.

The bracket construction 12K illustrated in FIG. 23 is somewhat similarto the bracket 12.! in that it includes a support bracket portion 36Ksecured to the wall 13 and having upwardly extending tabs 38K whichextend through openings in the receptacle flange 31K. The bracket alsoincludes an upper portion 86K which is connected to the support portion36K by means of a hinge 89. The upper portion 86K also extends inwardlyand has a tab 41K on the free end thereof which is adapted to bereceived within the recess or opening 28K formed in the upper wall ofthe receptacle 11K. The receptacle is mounted on or removed from thebracket 36K by pivotally swinging the upper bracket portion 86K towardor away from the receptacle so that the tab 41K will be disposed withinor removed from the opening 28K. A suitable torsion spring or otherresilient device can be associated with the hinge 89 if de sired to biasthe bracket portion 86K into engagement with the receptacle.

The brackets illustrated in FIGS. 22 and 23 can both be constructed fromrelatively rigid, nonresilient materials since these bracket structuresutilize slideable and /or pivotal connections for permitting relativemovement between the bracket and the supporting wall to enable thereceptacle to be mounted on or removed from the bracket.

While all of the above-described embodiments of the invention haveutilized a separate bracket for permitting the receptacle to be fixedlysecured relative to a supporting surface, such as a wall, it should beapparent that the cup dispenser of the present invention, whetherprovided with or without a toothbrush support flange, could also besecured to a wall or support surface without requiring the use of aseparate or independent bracket. For example, the receptacle constructedaccording to the present invention, such as the receptacle ll, could beprovided with an adhesive strip secured directly to the back portionthereof, which adhesive strip would then permit the receptacle to bemounted directly to a support surface without requiring the use of aseparate mounting bracket.

In all of the above described embodiments, the inverted cup-shapedreceptacle is preferably constructed by thermal forming from a thinsheet of plastic material and is of substantially uniform wall thicknessthroughout. For example, considering the embodiment illustrated in FIGS.l-5, the cylindrical sidewall 16, the projection 27, the projections 21and 22, the flange 31 and the stiffening ribs 34 are of substantiallyuniform thickness whereby the entire inverted cup-shaped receptacle thusconstitutes one continuous member having a minimum amount of materialtherein to minimize cost and weight.

While the disclosed receptacle is considered expendable and cantherefore be thrown away after the last cup is removed, it would bepossible to reload the receptacle if desired in the same manner asinitially loaded. Under normal circumstances, the receptacle will serveas part of the package in which the cups are shipped, sold, displayed,stored and/or used. Thus, a new receptacle will be furnished with thecups when they are purchased, even as a refill item. However, thedisclosed brackets will remain where mounted for repeated use withrefill receptacles.

The receptacle is generally designed for a relatively small number ofcups or other containers since it is intended that this size ofdispenser will be used in motel rooms and the like. Moreover, the guestwill be invited to take the receptacle and remaining cups when he leavesthe motel and, accordingly, both the receptacle and the cups can haveadvertising material printed thereon.

Since the cups will be packaged in the receptacle when received, a highdegree of sanitation can be maintained for the benefit of the users ofthe cups. Moreover, since the receptacle will be or can be changed eachtime a new party occupies the living space in which it is furnished, thechance of contamination from a dirty toothbrush holder is alsoeliminated. However,

even if the receptacle and its attached toothbrush holding flange arefabricated from materials which warrant their reuse, it would be asimple matter to remove the receptacle from the bracket and sterilize itbefore it is reloaded with cups for use by others. Such a system mightbe better suited to hospital use, for example, where a somewhat largerdispenser may be desired in order to provide a larger supply of cups.

The same principles of the invention can be used for dispensers incommercial establishments, such as restaurants, offices and the likeexcept that the receptacles would probably be considerably longer andwould not necessarily include a toothbrush holding flange. However, thesame types of brackets and connections thereof with receptacles could beemployed.

Under some circumstances, it might be desirable to provide means, suchas perforations and/or reduced thickness (not shown), along a line atthe junction between the flange 31C (FIG. 12) and the sidewall of thereceptacle 11C. Thus, the user of the dispenser C can remove the flange31C for convenience after the dispenser has been removed from thebracket 12C.

The receptacles may be fabricated partially or entirely from transparentmaterial to expose the cups within the receptacles.

Although a particular preferred embodiment of the invention has beendisclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognizedthat variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus, includingthe rearrangement of parts, lie within the scope of the presentinvention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

l. A container dispenser for receiving therein a plurality of cuplikearticles and for permitting said articles to be dispensed one at a time,said dispenser comprismg:

a one-piece receptacle formed from a thin plastic material and includinga cup-shaped portion having an elongated tubular portion defined by acontinuous circumferential sidewall;

said cup-shaped portion further including a cover portion integrally andcontinuously connected to the sidewall of said tubular portion adjacentone end thereof for closing said one end of said tubular portion, theother end of said tubular portion defining an opening for permitting aplurality of nested cuplike articles to be inserted into said cup-shapedportion of said receptacle;

said tubular portion further including a plurality of protuberance meansdisposed adjacent said other end thereof and projecting radiallyinwardly relative to the inner peripheral surface of said sidewall forreleasably holding said plurality of nested articles within saidreceptacle and for permitting said articles to be dispensed one at atime through said opening, said plurality of protuberance means beingintegral and continuous with said sidewall and substantially rigidrelative thereto and spaced circumferentially around said opening;

each said protuberance means including a pair of axially spacedprojections extending radially inwardly relative to the inner peripheralwall of said tubular portion, said pair of projections being spaced fromeach other so that the outermost projection is adapted to releasablyengage and support the outermost article when the innermost projectionis supporting the next outermost article so that only one article isdispensed at a time; and

said tubular portion including a plurality of stiffening ribs extendingaxially thereof and spaced circum ferentially around said tubularportion, and said sidewall including said stiffening ribs and said coverportion and said protuberance means all being integral and continuousand of substantially uniform wall thickness.

2. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said tubular portion is ofsubstantially uniform diameter throughout the axial extent thereof andsaid continuous circumferential sidewall is of substantially uniformthickness throughout the axial extent of said tubular portion.

3. A container dispenser according to claim 1, further including bracketmeans adapted to be mounted on a support surface for releasablysupporting and holding said receptacle, said bracket means and saidreceptacle having coacting means for permitting said receptacle to bereleasably mounted on said bracket means.

4. A container dispenser according to claim 3, wherein said receptacleincludes a pair of axially spaced recesses, and wherein said bracketmeans is substantially C-shaped and has protuberances adapted to beremovably disposed within said spaced recesses for releasably engagingsaid receptacle.

5. A container dispenser according to claim 1, further including meansassociated with said receptacle for permitting same to be releasablyattached to a supporting surface.

6. A container dispenser for receiving therein a plurality of cuplikearticles and for permitting said articles to be dispensed one at a time,said dispenser comprismg:

a one-piece receptacle formed from a thin plastic material and includinga cup-shaped portion having an elongated tubular portion defined by acontinuous circumferential sidewall, said tubular portion including aplurality of stiffening ribs extending axially thereof and spacedcircumferentially therearound;

said cup-shaped portion including a cover portion integrally andcontinuously connected to the sidewall of said tubular portion adjacentone end thereof for closing said one end of said tubular portion, theother end of said tubular portion defining an opening for permitting aplurality of nested cuplike articles to be inserted into said cup-shapedportion of said receptacle;

said receptacle including a substantially planer flange projectingradially outwardly from said tubular portion adjacent said other endthereof, said flange being disposed in surrounding relationship to saidopening, said flange being integral and continuous with said other endof said tubular portion;

said tubular portion further including a plurality of protuberance meansdisposed adjacent said other end thereof and projecting radiallyinwardly relative to the inner peripheral surface of said sidewall forreleasably holding said plurality of nested articles within saidreceptacle and for permitting said articles to be dispensed one at atime through said opening, said plurality of protuberance means beingintegral and continuous with said sidewall and substantially rigidrelative thereto and spaced circumferentially around said opening; and

each said protuberance means including a pair of axially spacedprojections extending radially inwardly relative to the inner peripheralwall of said tubular portion, said pair of projections being spaced fromeach other so that the outermost projection is adapted to releasablyengage and support the outermost article when the innermost projectionis supporting the next outermost article so that only one article isdispensed at a time;

said tubular portion, and said sidewall including said stiffening ribsand said cover portion and said protuberance means all being integraland continuous and of substantially uniform wall thickness.

7. A dispenser according to claim 6, wherein said tubular portion is ofsubstantially uniform diameter throughout the complete axial extentthereof, and wherein said continuous circumferential sidewall is ofsubstantially uniform wall thickness throughout the complete axialextent of said tubular portion.

8. A dispenser according to claim 6, wherein said receptacle has a blindrecess formed therein adjacent said cover portion, and wherein saidreceptacle has a further recess formed therein in the vicinity of saidflange, whereby said recesses are adapted for cooperation with suitableprojections formed on a mounting bracket.

9. A container dispenser for receiving therein a plurality of cuplikearticles and for permitting articles to be dispensed one at a time, saiddispenser comprising:

a one-piece receptacle formed from a thin plastic material and includinga cup-shaped portion having an elongated tubular portion defined by acontinuous circumferential sidewall, said tubular portion being ofsubstantially uniform diameter throughout the axial extent thereof;

said cup-shaped portion further including a closed cover portionintegrally and continuously connected to the sidewall of said tubularportion adjacent one end thereof for closing said one end of saidtubular portion, the other end of said tubular portion defining anopening for permitting a plurality of nested cuplike articles to beinserted into said cup-shaped portion of said receptacle;

said tubular portion including a plurality of elongated stiffening ribsextending axially thereof and spaced circumferentially therearound, saidstiffening ribs extending axially of said tubular portion throughout thecomplete length thereof;

said tubular portion further including a plurality of protuberance meansdisposed adjacent said other end thereof and projecting radiallyinwardly rela tive to the inner peripheral surface of said sidewall forreleasably holding said plurality of nested articles within saidreceptacle and for permitting said articles to be dispensed one at atime through said opening, said plurality of protuberance means beingintegral and continuous with said sidewall and substantially rigidrelative thereto and spaced circumferentially around said opening; and

said sidewall including said stiffening ribs and said cover portion andsaid protuberance means all being integral and continuous and ofsubstantially uniform wall thickness.

10. A dispenser according to claim 9, wherein a pair of said stiffeningribs are disposed directly adjacent each of said protuberance means withsaid protuber ance means being disposed between the stiffening ribs ofeach said pair.

1. A container dispenser for receiving therein a plurality of cuplikearticles and for permitting said articles to be dispensed one at a time,said dispenser comprising: a one-piece receptacle formed from a thinplastic material and including a cup-shaped portion having an elongatedtubular portion defined by a continuous circumferential sidewall; saidcup-shaped portion further including a cover portion integrally andcontinuously connected to the sidewall of said tubular portion adjacentone end thereof for closing said one end of said tubular portion, theother end of said tubular portion defining an opening for permitting aplurality of nested cuplike articles to be inserted into said cup-shapedportion of said receptacle; said tubular portion further including aplurality of protuberance means disposed adjacent said other end thereofand projecting radially inwardly relative to the inner peripheralsurface of said sidewall for releasably holding said plurality of nestedarticles within said receptacle and for permitting said articles to bedispensed one at a time through said opening, said plurality ofprotuberance means being integral and continuous with said sidewall andsubstantially rigid relative thereto and spaced circumferentially aroundsaid opening; each said protuberance means including a pair of axiallyspaced projections extending radially inwardly relative to the innerperipheral wall of said tubular portion, said pair of projections beingspaced from each other so that the outermost projection is adapted toreleasably engage and support the outermost article when the innermostprojection is supporting the next outermost article so that only onearticle is dispensed at a time; and said tubular portion including aplurality of stiffening ribs extending axially thereof and spacedcircumferentially around said tubular portion, and said sidewallincluding said stiffening ribs and said cover portion and saidprotuberance means all being integral and continuous and ofsubstantially uniform wall thickness.
 2. A dispenser according to claim1, wherein said tubular portion is of substantially uniform diameterthroughout the axial extent thereof and said continuous circumferentialsidewall is of substantially uniform thickness throughout the axialextent of said tubular portion.
 3. A container dispenser according toclaim 1, further including bracket means adapted to be mounted on asupport surface for releasably supporting and holding said receptacle,said bracket means and said receptacle having coacting means forpermitting said receptacle to be releasably mounted on said bracketmeans.
 4. A container dispenser according to claim 3, wherein saidreceptacle includes a pair of axially spaced recesses, and wherein saidbracket means is substantially C-shaped and has protuberances adapted tobe removably disposed within said spaced recesses for releasablyengaging said receptacle.
 5. A container dispenser according to claim 1,further including means associated with said receptacle for permittingsame to be releasably attached to a supporting surface.
 6. A containerdispenser for receiving therein a plurality of cuplike articles and forpermitting said articles to be dispensed one at a time, saId dispensercomprising: a one-piece receptacle formed from a thin plastic materialand including a cup-shaped portion having an elongated tubular portiondefined by a continuous circumferential sidewall, said tubular portionincluding a plurality of stiffening ribs extending axially thereof andspaced circumferentially therearound; said cup-shaped portion includinga cover portion integrally and continuously connected to the sidewall ofsaid tubular portion adjacent one end thereof for closing said one endof said tubular portion, the other end of said tubular portion definingan opening for permitting a plurality of nested cuplike articles to beinserted into said cup-shaped portion of said receptacle; saidreceptacle including a substantially planer flange projecting radiallyoutwardly from said tubular portion adjacent said other end thereof,said flange being disposed in surrounding relationship to said opening,said flange being integral and continuous with said other end of saidtubular portion; said tubular portion further including a plurality ofprotuberance means disposed adjacent said other end thereof andprojecting radially inwardly relative to the inner peripheral surface ofsaid sidewall for releasably holding said plurality of nested articleswithin said receptacle and for permitting said articles to be dispensedone at a time through said opening, said plurality of protuberance meansbeing integral and continuous with said sidewall and substantially rigidrelative thereto and spaced circumferentially around said opening; andeach said protuberance means including a pair of axially spacedprojections extending radially inwardly relative to the inner peripheralwall of said tubular portion, said pair of projections being spaced fromeach other so that the outermost projection is adapted to releasablyengage and support the outermost article when the innermost projectionis supporting the next outermost article so that only one article isdispensed at a time; said tubular portion, and said sidewall includingsaid stiffening ribs and said cover portion and said protuberance meansall being integral and continuous and of substantially uniform wallthickness.
 7. A dispenser according to claim 6, wherein said tubularportion is of substantially uniform diameter throughout the completeaxial extent thereof, and wherein said continuous circumferentialsidewall is of substantially uniform wall thickness throughout thecomplete axial extent of said tubular portion.
 8. A dispenser accordingto claim 6, wherein said receptacle has a blind recess formed thereinadjacent said cover portion, and wherein said receptacle has a furtherrecess formed therein in the vicinity of said flange, whereby saidrecesses are adapted for cooperation with suitable projections formed ona mounting bracket.
 9. A container dispenser for receiving therein aplurality of cuplike articles and for permitting articles to bedispensed one at a time, said dispenser comprising: a one-piecereceptacle formed from a thin plastic material and including acup-shaped portion having an elongated tubular portion defined by acontinuous circumferential sidewall, said tubular portion being ofsubstantially uniform diameter throughout the axial extent thereof; saidcup-shaped portion further including a closed cover portion integrallyand continuously connected to the sidewall of said tubular portionadjacent one end thereof for closing said one end of said tubularportion, the other end of said tubular portion defining an opening forpermitting a plurality of nested cuplike articles to be inserted intosaid cup-shaped portion of said receptacle; said tubular portionincluding a plurality of elongated stiffening ribs extending axiallythereof and spaced circumferentially therearound, said stiffening ribsextending axially of said tubular portion throughout the complete lengththereof; said tubular portion further including a plurality ofprotuberance means dIsposed adjacent said other end thereof andprojecting radially inwardly relative to the inner peripheral surface ofsaid sidewall for releasably holding said plurality of nested articleswithin said receptacle and for permitting said articles to be dispensedone at a time through said opening, said plurality of protuberance meansbeing integral and continuous with said sidewall and substantially rigidrelative thereto and spaced circumferentially around said opening; andsaid sidewall including said stiffening ribs and said cover portion andsaid protuberance means all being integral and continuous and ofsubstantially uniform wall thickness.
 10. A dispenser according to claim9, wherein a pair of said stiffening ribs are disposed directly adjacenteach of said protuberance means, with said protuberance means beingdisposed between the stiffening ribs of each said pair.